BMW has announced that its next fully electric car will be an electric version of the three-door MINI Cooper, rather than a standalone model. The new electric MINI will arrive in 2019.
When the new electric MINI goes into production in 2019, it will be the fourth powertrain option under the MINI brand, which already includes gasoline, diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrains. The electric MINI’s electric drivetrain will be built at the BMW Group’s e-mobility center at Plants Dingolfing and Landshut in Bavaria before being integrated into the car at Plant Oxford, which is the main production location for the MINI 3 door model.
“BMW Group Plants Dingolfing and Landshut play a leading role within our global production network as the company’s global competence centre for electric mobility. Our adaptable production system is innovative and able to react rapidly to changing customer demand. If required, we can increase production of electric drivetrain motor components quickly and efficiently, in line with market developments,” stated Oliver Zipse, BMW AG Management Board member for Production.
The new MINI electric car is one of a several electrified models to be launched by the BMW and MINI brands in the coming years. In 2018, the BMW i8 Roadster will join the BMW i family. An all-electric BMW X3 will arrive by 2020, and the BMW iNEXT is due in 2021.
Source: BMW
